Sock monkey hunt part of Geneseo Christmas Walk festivities

“Finding the Christmas Spirit” is the theme of the 27th annual Christmas Walk when Geneseo becomes a mystical, magical wonderland.

Claudia Loucks

"Finding the Christmas Spirit" is the theme of the 27th annual Christmas Walk when Geneseo becomes a mystical, magical wonderland.

The Dec. 8 event will include a special activity for youngsters.

"Sam the Sock Monkey Finds the Christmas Spirit" will be incorporated into this year's Walk, similar to the "Elf on the Shelf" story/activity that was a favorite of children and adults at the 2011 Walk.

Sara Solberg, Christmas Walk committee co-chairman, came up with the idea to feature the elf story last year, and is keeping the tradition alive by penning her own version of "Sam the Sock Monkey Finds the Christmas Spirit," for the 2012 Walk.

"Sam the Sock Monkey Finds the Christmas Spirit" is the theme of a living window at McClimon Pharmacy, 114 S. State St., and will include a large sock monkey with a poster featuring the title of the sock money story.

Living windows may be viewed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 8.

In addition, Brian DeJohn, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the Christmas Walk, said the chamber has created copies of Solberg's story of "Sam the Sock Monkey Finds the Christmas Spirit," which includes clues to the locations of where the five sock monkeys are located in downtown stores.

Sock monkeys will be placed in various window displays and the idea is for the children to walk up and down the street looking for them. The sock monkeys will be dressed in Christmas finery, which was made by Solberg's mother, Mary Kareher of Chatham.

When the child spies a monkey, he or she will have their booklet stamped, Solberg said.

"At each of the locations there will be a person wearing a sock monkey hat who will stamp the stories. The stamps will be the pictures that go along with the story."

When they have all five stamps on their booklets, they are to turn in the cards at the Hanford Insurance office. Their names will be included in a drawing at 8 p.m. for the five sock monkeys to be given away.

DeJohn said information about the sock monkey activity will be distributed to children at Geneseo's elementary schools.

Sock monkey booklets also will be available from Chamber officials on Christmas Walk night, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Hanford office.